Jarryd Hayne has been welcomed back into the inner circle of the Parramatta Eels, marking a significant moment in the relationship between the club and one of its most notable former players. Hayne visited the team’s dressing sheds on Thursday night following Parramatta’s loss to South Sydney at CommBank Stadium. This appearance is believed to be his first time back in the sheds for some time, despite having attended games with his family in recent seasons.
Hayne’s connection with the Eels has been fraught since his departure at the end of the 2018 season. His career and public image were overshadowed by a lengthy legal battle involving sexual assault allegations. The charges were ultimately dropped in 2024 after Hayne had already served time in prison. Three years prior, the club chose not to include footage of Hayne when celebrating its 75th anniversary, signaling strained relations at the time.
At the peak of his career, Hayne was widely regarded as one of the best players in the sport. His rugby league successes with Parramatta were notable before he briefly left the NRL in 2015 to pursue a career in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. After his stint in American football, he returned to the NRL, playing with the Gold Coast Titans and eventually finishing his professional league career back at Parramatta. Most recently, Hayne made a short-lived return to competitive rugby league last year with the Wentworthville Magpies in the Ron Massey Cup. Beyond the field, he has established the Jarryd Hayne Sporting Academy, focusing on mentoring aspiring athletes.
The decision to reintegrate Hayne into the Eels’ inner fold appears to reflect a reconciliation following years of separation. The club’s recognition of his standing as a player and former team member suggests that time has eased historical tensions related to his legal issues.
In a related development within rugby league circles, Junior Amone is set to make his senior rugby league return this weekend for Wynnum-Manly, a feeder club of the Brisbane Broncos. Amone had his contract with St George Illawarra terminated before the 2024 season after involvement in a rooftop hammer attack on a tradesman in Wollongong. Additionally, in 2025, he pleaded guilty to common assault after an incident involving spitting at a woman in a Wollongong pub. The Queensland Rugby League has cleared Amone to sign with the Queensland Cup side, where he is scheduled to play against the PNG Hunters on Sunday.